XCOM: Enemy Within adds mechs, genetic modifications, and more to Enemy Unknown this November

Enemy known

There's a saying that goes, "Ain't no expansion like a Firaxis expansion. 'cuz a Firaxis expansion essentially remakes the original game!" Or something like that. This popular phrase holds as true as ever in XCOM: Enemy Within. The massive expansion won't just add a few new missions or a fresh story arc--it reworks fundamental elements of the game, giving you ample excuses to play one of the best games of 2012 all over again.

Due for release on November 12, Enemy Within supplements the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown with new content that should make future playthroughs totally unique. You're able to build a Mechtrooper by creating a Cybernetics Lab, allowing you to make big, customizable power suits to fight the alien invaders in. You can also create a Genetics Lab, which lets you implant your soldiers with genetic mods. You'll pay for these new abilities with Meld, a resource scattered around every map (new and old). Speaking of, Firaxis claims that, and we quote, a "ton" of new maps have been added, meaning you won't need to lay siege to gas stations as frequently as you did in Enemy Unknown. There's also a host of new grenades, loadouts, and customization options.

One such customization is the ability to change the language of any of your soldiers, responding to complaints that all of the soldiers, regardless of nationality, sounded like G.I. Joe. Firaxis now allows you to choose from any of the localization options to give your squad the regional dialog you desire.

PC gamers will be able to pick it up for $29.99 as an expansion, whereas console gamers can buy it for $39.99 as XCOM: Enemy Within - Commander Edition, which comes with all of the new content as well as the original.

Check out the following slides for additional images and more information.

What? You thought only the good guys got mech suits?

You'll fight new enemy types throughout the campaign.

Yeah, you can get flamethrowers now.

Go ahead and replace body parts with robot limbs, it's fine.

She is Iron Man.

Genetic mods allow you to customize your characters even further.

Firaxis said it's adding "tons" of new maps.

Enemies in mech suits are going to be fun to blow up.

...even if they're going to be a pain to kill.